Flight Stories
Our senior veterans served in a variety of ways, and each has a unique story to tell. We've listed several here.
November 7, 2024 - Mission #138 - The roster includes veterans who
- were awarded the Purple Heart (3 veterans) and Bronze Star (3 veterans)
- performed B-52 maintenance, pneumatic & hydraulic
- served as Master Crew Chief on KC-135 Air Refueler
- was a Diet Specialist
- served with ASW Search and Rescue, USS Trippe (FF-1075), USS Valdez (FF-1096)
- was Platoon Sergeant with Bradley Fighting Vehicles
- was a Radar Operator, posted to Labrador, Newfoundland
- was a Gunner on B-29 aircraft
- was a Journalist, worked for Armed Forces Radio/Television
- was a Radar System Mechanic on USS Connole (FF-1056)
- worked with Integrated Avionics Systems (Bomb-Navigation) on F-111 Aardvarks
- was a Corpsman on USS Yellowstone (AD-27), USS Barry (DD-933)
- served in a Nike-Hercules Air Defense Unit
- was a Parachute Rigger
- was a Turbo Propeller Technician
- was a Civil Engineer, Pavement Technician
- was a Civil Engineer, Carpentry Specialist
- served as a Mess Sergeant
- was Finance Clerk & Payroll Clerk for men in the stockade
- served as a Public Information Officer
- was a Boiler Tech on USS Dale (CG-19), USS Shields (DD-596)
October 31, 2024 - Mission #137 - The roster included veterans who
- were awarded the Purple Heart (6 veterans) and Bronze Star (7 veterans)
- served as Instructor, Advanced Training Academy
- was a Machinist Mate on USS Pharris (FF-1094)
- was a Maintenance Tech on F1-B aircraft
- was named "Best Amphibian Operator of the US Army" in FY 75
- was an Aircraft Electrician working on Hueys and OV-10
- trained Reservists, served on USCGC Bering Strait (WHEC-382)
- served with Military Police (2 veterans)
- served with Security Police (2 veterans)
- was a Scout Dog Handler and Pointman
- was Ward Corpsman; Neo-natal Nursery, Labor & Delivery
- served as a DP Analyst
- was a Chemical Operations Specialist
- was a Helicopter Door Gunner
- was a Combat Engineer; Demo Specialist & Body Repair
- served as a Radioman on USS America (CVA-66)
- was in Accounting, delivered payroll to Vietnam
- was a Jet Engine Mechanic
- repaired helicopter engines, flew as combat Door Gunner
- was a Naval Aviator & Plane Commander
October 10, 2024 - Mission #136 - The roster included veterans who
- were awarded the Purple Heart (1 veteran) and Bronze Star (2 veterans)
- performed aircraft maintenance on the USS Forrestal (CVA-59)
- was with the Security Police
- handled Aircraft Refueling and Corrosion Control
- was a Rifleman
- was a Charge Nurse; served in Orthopedics, Neurology, and Psychiatric Wards
- was Captain of Port, USCGC Matagorda (WAVP-373)
- was a Medical Specialist, Maternity Ward & ER
- was an Jet Mechanic on USS Essex (CVA-9)
- served with the Military Police (2 veterans)
- was a Field Artillery Rocket Crewman
- was a Helicopter Mechanic
- served with the Infantry providing security on the Czech border
- served in Aviation Rescue, Guantanamo Bay and aboard USS Bushnell (AS-15)
- served as a Special Agent with Top Secret clearance
- was a Jumpmaster with the Rangers
- was a Quartermaster (3 veterans)
- handled ordnance for A-4 & A-7 aircraft, USS Oriskany (CVA-34) and USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
- was a Printer, USS Vulcan (AR-5)
- was a Musician
